Taiwan’s military deployed aircraft, ships and air defense missile systems in a drill on Thursday, as China maintains pressure on Taipei to accept Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the island. China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since 1949,

China is likely to launch military drills in the coming days near Taiwan, using President Lai Ching-te's upcoming trip to the Pacific and scheduled U.S. transit as a pretext, according to assessments by Taiwan and regional security officials.